The Milan and Italy forward Antonio Cassano, in hospital after being struck down with an undiagnosed illness on Saturday, has shown a "marked improvement", the Serie A champions said on Monday.
The club denied reports that the 29-year-old player, who was taken ill on the flight back from the 3-2 win at Roma on Saturday, had suffered a stroke. "AC Milan inform that the news in circulation containing a hypothetical diagnosis on Antonio Cassano's state of health cannot be considered true as it does not come from an accredited medical source," Milan said in a statement.
"AC Milan underline that Antonio Cassano is in a phase of marked improvement and in the next few days will undergo further medical examinations."
Cassano, who has remained at the Policlinico facility where he was taken for tests after falling ill, was reportedly joking with team-mates on the plane, before suddenly developing problems with his vision, speech and movement.
The club's vice‑president, Adriano Galliani, said earlier that he is confident Cassano will make a full recovery. "I've just spoken to Antonio," said Galliani. "I'm convinced he'll get better, he's already feeling better now. He's in a good mood and he seems calm.
"Problems of this kind are part of life. Unfortunately, life is made up of so many things and footballers are human beings like the rest of us and can have the problems just like everyone else."
The Milan coach, Massimiliano Allegri, is hopeful Cassano will be back in action after the international break, when the Serie A champions visit Fiorentina. "We hope to have him back as soon as possible, maybe after the break," Allegri said. "I talked to him yesterday and he seems calm and is recovering well. All the squad is in shock and very upset by what has happened."